Unexplainable aches and pains, daily hormonal issues, constant fatigue, and a general feeling of being “not quite right” can cause you to wonder what is going on. Is it Chronic Fatigue Syndrome? Fibromyalgia? Lupus? Arthritis? Parkinson’s? Irritable Bowel? MS? (See list below for more) Perhaps it’s really something that can look like anything, yet is a completely different diagnosis: Lyme Disease.

Defining Lyme Disease

Commonly associated with a bite from a deer tick, Lyme disease is a bloodborne pathogen that can be passed directly between people or through other animals. Many who suffer from Lyme disease do not even remember being bitten by a tick, and less than one-quarter of those who are bitten have the telltale bull’s-eye rash around the area of the bite. Also, if the bite occurred on the back or an area not easily inspected, it may go undetected. It often isn’t even felt because the tick injects a numbing agent to lessen the feel of the bite. Ticks of all types, Mosquitoes, fleas, and mites are known to transmit Lyme. Also, blood, semen, and other bodily fluids may possibly allow person-to-person transfer based on spirochete history.

Currently, Lyme disease is the number-one vector-borne infection worldwide, making it a global epidemic. Centers for Disease Control (CDC) statistics are said to represent about 10% of the actual cases discovered. By International Lyme and Associated Diseases Society (ILADS) estimates only 1 in 40 has been properly diagnosed, and the ILADS training physicians estimate approximately 1.2 million new cases are occurring annually. Lyme Disease is in all 50 states and in more than 80 countries worldwide.

Unfortunately, many are suffering and don’t know why.

Symptoms of Lyme Disease

Symptoms of Lyme disease may include ongoing fatigue, pain, increased sensitivity to light and sound, difficulty remembering things or concentrating, fevers or sweats that come and go, sensitivity to chemicals (of all sorts), and depression or anxiety. Lyme disease almost always occurs with a co-infection, and the symptoms that present themselves are often due to the other bacterial, parasitic, or viral co-infection and less from the Lyme Disease. See the General Symptoms list below.

The real problem is that all of these symptoms can change on a weekly — or even daily — basis, making diagnosis challenging. Most physicians look only at what is presenting itself right now, and that can lead to a misdiagnosis. Some of the ailments Lyme disease can mirror include chronic fatigue syndrome, autism, fibromyalgia, arthritis, autoimmune disorders including lupus, irritable bowel syndrome or disease, depression, multiple sclerosis, chronic headaches, Parkinson’s disease, stroke, and even hormonal issues. Worse are the people who don’t even go to the doctor because they think it’s all in their head — or fear the doctor will tell them as much. There is hope!

Diagnosing Lyme Disease

Since symptoms of Lyme disease can change daily, it’s vitally important to work with a Lyme Literate Doctor who knows exactly what to look for. Be forewarned that diagnosing Lyme disease can be a process and not immediate. Since the disease and its co-infections mirror so many other diagnoses, it can take time to understand your unique case and eliminate other issues before determining that you are, indeed, suffering with Lyme disease.

Conventional local blood tests are often inadequate for finding Lyme disease plus the common co-infections and fail to test many of the markers, so outside specialty labs are frequently needed. Unfortunately, since the disease presents in three different ways, plus it morphs and changes to prevent immune detection meaning a test can be performed one week that comes back negative, then it may come back positive weeks or months later. Lyme Literate Doctors, such as Dr. Ken Mitchell and Dr. Smith, can stay on top of your case and know how to best test and interpret results for a true diagnosis.

How to Know if You May Have Lyme

Naturally, if you remember being exposed to a tick bite and have any of the mentioned symptoms, it’s a good idea to check in with your doctor. Also, if you have experienced chronic conditions that seem to keep changing categories, you may have Lyme disease. Too often, untrained physicians get frustrated by the changing nature of Lyme disease and think their patients are making it all up, which can lead to a prescription for psychotic drugs.

Remember, you are not crazy! Let Dr. Ken Mitchell and Dr. Jennifer Smith, your Lyme Literate Doctors, determine if you have Lyme disease and get you on a treatment plan.

Treatments for Lyme Disease

Although a quick search online suggests that a two-week course of antibiotics is enough to be rid of Lyme disease, it’s unfortunately not so simple. Remember that the disease morphs and attacks the body in three ways, so all three must to be addressed simultaneously and with the right support in order to facilitate recovery. Biofilms that shield the Lyme, shifting co-infections, and built-in resistance to antimicrobials require a different strategy than used for common infections. Our doctors follow a combination approach that incorporates both allopathic and naturopathic treatment modalities, and they are involved at every step along the way to help you receive the support needed in clearing the Lyme with its co-infections while helping restore your health.

Call Us for Your Consultation

Dr. Mitchell and Dr. Smith have completed training for diagnosing and treating Lyme Disease and the co-infections that accompany it through the International Lyme and Associated Diseases Society (ILADS). Dr. Mitchell is a member of both ILADS and ACAM. His Lyme Literate education extends through ILADS, ACAM, and his naturopathic and pharmacy training. Please contact our office at (602) 441-3455 to schedule your consultation and learn more about how our approach to Chronic Infectious Disease can help you return to life as normal.

GENERAL LYME DISEASE SYMPTOM INFORMATION

Lyme Disease is a multi-systemic disease (MSIDS) caused by the bacteria called Borrelia burgdorferi (Bb), which normally is a bacterial spirochete (spiral) shape. This allows it to “corkscrew” itself into multiple areas of the body, producing a mixed and changing variety of symptoms in each person.

General Early Signs and Symptoms:

Erythema Chronicum Migrans (EM), also called the Bull’s Eye Rash, may be seen at the bite site. However a rash (of any kind) is only found in ~50% of patients, making initial diagnosis rare. The bite may have come from a mosquito, flea, or mite making identification even more challenging. Other Types of Rashes anywhere on the body may also occur (rash at other than bite site signals disseminated disease).